HydraForce becomes first tenant of Advanced Manufacturing Hub

24 September, 2014

International hydraulic manufacturing company, HydraForce, which employs 280 at its European headquarters at Aston, Birmingham, is to build a brand new factory at Birmingham’s Advanced Manufacturing Hub. Job numbers at the company, which last year turned over around £49 million, will almost double by 2018.
Following confirmation of a £1.8 million grant from the Government’s Regional Growth Fund in June, the company has completed the deal with landowners, the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), and start to build the 120,000 sq ft factory this month (September), with a view to moving the entire business and staff to its new world-class facility in August 2015.
HydraForce’s new building will expand its manufacturing facility by 70,000 sq ft and allow the company to bring the manufacturing of more of its products over to the UK from its parent company in the US.
The move also sees HydraForce become the inaugural tenant of the Advanced Manufacturing Hub, one of six economic zones in the city. The zones – advanced manufacturing; business & professional services; creative & digital media; life sciences; food & drink; IT, electronics & communications (ITEC) – will provide growth environments for key sectors. It is hoped that these economic zones will unlock £1.5 billion of investment in the city and generate nearly 50,000 jobs.
Ideal site
HydraForce managing director, Peter Macdonald, commented: “The Advanced Manufacturing Hub is the ideal site for us. It is logistically well-placed and very close to our existing premises at St Stephen’s Street, Aston so it will be easier for our staff to move with us.”
Over 30 per cent of HydraForce’s products are sold into the growing agricultural equipment sector and 80 per cent of its output is exported. “The market for our products has grown and broadened,” said Macdonald. “To achieve our ambitious growth plans to double turnover by 2018, we need the new space to install new machinery, research and laboratory facilities, and support.”
Facilitated by the city council and supported by Business Birmingham, HydraForce’s decision to base its growing operation in the area will create local jobs and boost the area’s manufacturing supply chain.